Mess

You can run a Mess MCP Server to let AI assistants interact with the IIIT Mess Management System through natural language. This server handles menus, registrations, billing, feedback, extra items, monthly plans, preferences, and user profiles, making it easy to perform common tasks without manual portal navigation.

How to use

After you have the MCP server running, you use it from your MCP client or Claude Desktop by pointing at the local server. You can ask for today’s or specific date menus, register or cancel meals, check your monthly bill and projections, submit feedback, view and register for extra items, and manage monthly plans. You can also adjust preferences such as notification settings and review your profile details.

How to install

Prerequisites you need on your machine are Node.js 18+ and a channel to run the MCP server locally.

# 1. Clone the project
git clone <your-repo-url>
cd mess-mcp

# 2. Install dependencies
npm install
```,

2. Obtain your API key from the mess portal and set up environment configuration as shown.

# 3. Configure environment
cp .env.example .env
```,

Edit the environment file to include your API key and API URL as shown.

MESS_API_KEY=your-actual-api-key-here
MESS_API_URL=https://mess.iiit.ac.in/api

4. Build the project so the TypeScript source compiles to JavaScript.

npm run build

5. Configure Claude Desktop to load the MCP server and start the local process.

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "mess": {
      "command": "node",
      "args": ["/absolute/path/to/mess-mcp/dist/index.js"],
      "env": {
        "MESS_API_KEY": "your-actual-api-key-here",
        "MESS_API_URL": "https://mess.iiit.ac.in/api"
      }
    }
  }
}

6. Start Claude Desktop and ensure the MCP server loads automatically. If needed, restart Claude Desktop after changes.

Additional sections

Configuration and usage notes help you keep the server running smoothly.

Security and troubleshooting guidance ensures you protect your API key and resolve common start-up issues.

Notes

The server exposes a set of tools across categories for information, registrations, billing, extras, monthly plans, configuration, and user profile.

Available tools

get_mess_info

Retrieve details about a mess such as its info, menus, rates, capacities, and timings.

view_menus

Obtain menus for a specific date or date range across messes.

view_rates

Fetch current meal rates for different messes.

view_capacities

Check available seating or capacity for meals at a given time.

view_timings

Retrieve opening hours and meal service timings.

register_meal

Create a meal registration for a user.

cancel_registration

Cancel an existing meal registration.

manage_registrations

List and manage all registrations for a user.

view_bills

Check the monthly mess bill and projections.

submit_feedback

Submit and record feedback for meals.

view_ratings

View ratings for meals or sessions.

browse_extras

Browse available extra food items.

register_extras

Register for extra items.

monthly_plans

Manage monthly mess subscriptions.

update_preferences

View or update user notification and meal settings.

view_profile

Display user profile information.

reset_qr_token

Reset the user's QR token used for entry.